In recent violent unrest across England and Northern Ireland, a surprising demographic has come to the forefront: middle-aged rioters.
Images from these events reveal that many of those clashing with police, setting fires, and hurling racist abuse are not the young individuals typically associated with such actions, but people in their 40s, 50s, and even 60s.
This trend was evident in Sunderland, where four out of 11 people arrested on August 3 fell into this age group, including a 69-year-old man.
The radicalization of middle-aged individuals is an emerging phenomenon, often overlooked in discussions about extremism according to The Conversation.
This group appears particularly vulnerable to misinformation online, leading them down a path of radicalization that has played a role in these riots.
The Vulnerability of the Middle-Aged
Unlike younger generations, who have been taught about the dangers of online misinformation, many middle-aged people didn't receive this education.
They learned to use the internet as adults and often rely on their own judgment when navigating the online world.
Sara Wilford suggets that this makes them more likely to believe and spread false information, which can lead to dangerous actions, like participating in violent protests.
For instance, in Southport, a group attacked a mosque based on the false belief that local children had been killed by a Muslim or immigrant. This rumor was later proven untrue.
The Invisible Demographic
Middle-aged individuals often fall into a societal blind spot.
While they are politically active and influential, they are not the focus of mainstream media or advertising, which tends to target younger audiences.
This lack of attention can lead to feelings of frustration and isolation, pushing some middle-aged individuals to seek community and validation online.
The internet provides a space where their grievances are heard and amplified, often in echo chambers that reinforce their beliefs. Because this age group is not usually seen as a target for radicalization, they can influence others without drawing much attention from authorities or researchers working to prevent extremism.
The Impact of Misinformation
The spread of misinformation is difficult to control, especially on the internet where "greased data" – information that spreads quickly and widely – can reach diverse audiences.
Middle-aged people, who may not be as skilled in evaluating the information they find online, are particularly at risk of being influenced by sensational and emotionally charged content.
